Ribbon feed mechanism for manifolding machines



April 15, 1947. R W RTZERT' 2,419,036

RIBBON FEED MECHANISM FOR MANIFOLDING MACHINES Filed April 28, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 1 R. W. RITZERT EGHANISM FOR MANIFOLDING MACHINES April 15, 1947.

RBBON FEED M Filed April 2s, 1945 l v @e Q 53' p5 o 7. 66

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVE OR Roem w. mem

TTORNEYS April 15, 1947. R. w. RlTzE'R-r 2,419,036

RIBBON-FEED MECHANISM FOR MANIFOLDING MACHINES Filed April 28, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 INV NTOR ROBERT NRmERT,

W www ATTORNEYS April 15, 1947. R. w. RITZERT 5 Sheets-.Sheet 4 Filed April 28. 1943 INVENTOR ROBERT WRITZERT mu-J a 53M ATTORNEY April 15, 1947. RQ W RITZERT 2,419,036

' RIBBON FEED MECHANISM FOR MANFOLDING MACHINES Filed April- 28, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV ENTOR ROBERT W. RWZERT Patented Apr. 15, 1947 RIBBON S PATENT OFFICE 2,419,036 FEED MecHANIsM Fon MANIFOLDING MACHlNES Robert W. Eitzert, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Egry Register Co., of Ohio Application April 28, 1943, Serial 18 Claims.

j The present invention relates to manifolding machines, and in particular to such machines which are adapted to ma'ke multiple copies of typed or printed material by means oi copying ribbons orcarbons, particularly those machines used in connection with typing, adding and tabulating machines and the like.

In a typical prior art machine which the present machine `represents an improvement thereover, the manifolding attachment is constituted ci a framework carrying rollers over which the required number of paper sheets are fed upwardly from the typing or printing platen of the main machine and the finished copies are received in their basket or carrier at the rear of the machine.

The multiple typing or printing effect is provided: by a plurality of carbon ribbons or webs which are interleaved between the paper sheets at the position of the platen. These ribbons are' caused to move across the paper, i. e. normal to the movement oi the paper, during the spacing line interval by means of a pin wheel drive. Thus the carbon ribbons are moved from one side of the paper to the other side in steps corresponding tothe line spacing operations of the main typing machine, the separate movements'oi the ribbons ranging between one-quarter and one-half inch.

However, when the last line has been typed or printed on the paper, an automatic ejection mechanism is brought into the play to move the entire group of paper rapidly upwardly over a considerable distance such that the succeeding sheet of the multiple group of paper lengths is placed in position for the next typing or printing operation. During this ejection spacing feeding operation of the paper webs, the pin wheel which feeds the carbon ribbons across the paper is rotated a plurality of times in order to effect al plurality of steps of movement of the copying ribbons. This quick and sustained movement oi the carbon ribbons during the paper ejection operation serves to overcome any tendency for the carbon ribbon to stick to the paper during the time that the paper is moved rapidly across the ribbon. However, a manifolding machine of this type is designed to accommodate paper webs or sheets which are fed to the machine from a folded condition Awhich obviously leaves creases or folds extending across the paper at positions which represent the upper and lower limits of the lengths of -each'paper web.

lt has been found that notwithstanding the tendency for the pin wheel mechanism to pre- Dayton, Ohio,

a corporation (Cl. 12W-126) vent sticking or adhesion of the carbon ribbon to the paper during the normal line spacing operation, this provision is not entirely satisfactory during the paper eject operation due to the fact that the carbon ribbons are tightly interleaved between the paper webs at the typing position and during this eject operation the .folds of the paper must necessarily cross the carbon ribbons, causing these folds to carry the carbon ribbons with them as the paper is moved upwardly into the receiving basket.

In view of the fact that the paper webs move very quickly during this eject operation and over a considerable distance suiicient in order to position the next group of sheets as determined by the distance between the folds into theA typing position, there is a tendency for the carbon ribbon to break. This tendency is enhanced in case the ribbon is of the paper rather than the cloth type but in any event this bowing-up effect on the ribbon represents a disadvantage in the ecient operation of the machine.

The primary object oi the invention is to provide an improved method and mechanism by which the tendency of the carbon paper ribbon to break or to -bow vupwardly during the eject movement of folded paper webs is eliminated.

is to provide a mechanism by which frictional contact between the tightly packed carbon ribbon and paper web portions is materially reduced and preferably entirely avoided during the eject movement of the paper webs, i. e. during the time that one length of the paper web (between the folds) is substituted for another length at the typing position.

The general object of the invention is to increase the useable life of carbon ribbons or paper strips which are used in connection with a manifold typing machine, thus reducing the number of breakdowns in the machine and the necessity for continually threading carbon ribbons through the paper websl after a break in one or more lengths of the carbon ribbon.

The invention will be better understood when reference is made to the following description which: Figure l is a iront view of the improved maniiolding attachment as applied to a commercial form of typing, adding or tabulating machine.

Figure 2 is a perspective fragmentary view, taken from the rear of the paper drive mechanism.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the lower portion of the manifolding attachment or machine and showing more particularly the ap- 3 ribbon assembly Iiway from the paper during the eject movement. his view is taken approximately on line 3--3 in Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure fl is a diagrammatic end view of the platen and carbon ribbon assembly shown in the typing position.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure Il but showing the carbon ribbon assembly after it has been moved upwardly away from the typing position during the eject operation in accordance with our invention. Figures 4 and 5 are useful in explaining the principles of the invention.

Figure 6 is an elevational View of the platen, turn plates and carbon ribbon assembly in the typing position. Figure '7 illustrates an end view of the platen and carbon ribbon assembly shown during the eject operation. Figure 6 may be com sidered a view looking toward the left in Fig ure 4 while Figure 7 is a view looking toward the left in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarge along line S-fl in Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows to show the innerside of the carbon ribbon drum and also to show details of the carbon ribbon lifting mechanism.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View taken through the carbon roll compartment.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary end view of the manifold attachment showing a protective switching arrangement for stopping the and ribbon feed during an emergency.

Figure l1 is a perspective fragmentary view of the apparatus immediately associated with the ribbon assembly elevating apparatus and showiniI in particular the driving mechanism for that apparatus.

Figure l2 shows in front elevation, the ribbon elevating mechanism of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view taken at approximately the line l3 i3 in Figure 14., showing the resilient clamping plate for holding the carbon ribbon snugly against the multi-grooved plates.

Figures 14, l5 and 16 are diagrammatic showings of the platen turn plates etc. forming part of a modied arrangement of the improved manifold attachment. Figure 14 shows the ribbon assembly in its lowermost position; Figure .15 shows lthe assembly in its uppermost position after having been raised by frictional contact with the paper web; Figure 1S depicts the nal operation of the series in which the ribbon assembly is caused or permitted to return to its lower original position ready for typing.

sectional view taken General arrangement in general, the manifolding machine of this invention as shown in assembly in Figures 1 and 2 is an attachment to be used in conjunction with a main machine adapted to type or print a record, such Aas a tabulatng and listing machine. typewriting machine or adding machine. The main machine ordinarily is provided with its own typing mechanism, including type and a ribbon, together with means for printing a single copy of a record or multiple copies with the use of sheets of carbon paper interleaved between the multiple paper sheets or webs.

Hitherto such carbon sheets were moved with the paper sheets and interfered with the manifolding machine. In the present invention howu ever, the multiple copies of the records are made upon multiple paper webs interleaved with onetime copying ribbons between the multiple paper webs and traveling in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the sheets or webs. In this manner, necessity for the use of carbon sheets is eliminated, together with the diiculties of realigning the carbon sheets when occasion requires. The copying ribbons employed in the present invention are made of a cheap material and can be used one time and then discarded. A short strip oi the copying ribbon which may consist of a carbon paper ribbon is equivalent to an entire sheet of the carbon paper hitherto employed.

In the manifolding machine of the present inventon, the carbon paper ribbons are automatically fed by predetermined steps between the typing operations of successive lines of type, so that this motion of the ribbons breaks up the natural tendency to adhere to the paper forms with Furthermore, certain of such main machines, such as tabulating and listing machines are equipped with mechanisms for automatic ejection spacing of the paper forms; that is, for moving the paper webs a multiplicity of line spacings between successive forms in order to pass from the typing position, at the bottom of one form, to the typing position at the top of the next form. These forms are provided with reversely arranged creases or folds in order more conveniently to be handled and they are presented to the main machine and the manifolding attachment in this manner.

However, the forms are against the vertical framework of the machine during the typing or printing operation and when this operation is completed the forms are fed upwardly over the frame in such a way that they will return to their creased or folded condition and be received by a basket or trough.

caused to lie flatwise Principles of the invention paper webs were moved upwardly a multiplicity of line spacings between successive forms, it was the practice of the prior art to operate the ribbon feeding mechanism through a plurality of steps and not limit this movement to a single step as in the case of a single line spacing operation. This increased movement of the ribbon feeding mechanism was intended to break the contact between the ribbon and the paper and thus to prevent the ribbon from adhering to the paper and from being carried by the paper upwardly during the eject operation. While this scheme worked out fairly satisfactory, it was foundvthat there was a certain amount of breakage of the carbon paper ribbons caused presumably by adhering to the upwardly moving paper during the eject operation. It will be understood that this adherence is affected by the moisture conditions of the air immediately surrounding the machine and also by the quality and character of the carbon paper ribbon and of the paper webs with which the ribbons are interleaved. There is initially extremely close contact between the paper webs and the carbon ribbons at the typing position and the force struck by the type against the paper and carbon ribbon assembly tends to increase this adhesion.

In accordance with my invention I have discovered that in many instances the breakage of the carbon paper ribbon is not due to the adhesion between the ribbon and the paper throughout the length of each paper form but is brought about almost entirely by the folds or creases in the paper which tend to dig into the carbon strips and thus add a strong gripping force at these particular points. This is exemplified by a comparison between Figures 4 and 5 in which the reference character l designates diagrammatically the platen of the machine which receives four layers of paper 2 constituting manifold forms with creases or folds 3 positioned at the top and bottom of each group of forms. As stated hereinbefore, these creases are reversely folded so that the paper is presented to the machine from a stacked condition. Interleaved between the paper forms 2 there is a plurality of carbon paper ribbons 4. It will be understood that there is an additional ribbon (not shown) on the outside surface of the forms and the latter when struck by the type of the machine causes a typed irnpression to be applied simultaneously to all of the paper forms. It will be noted in Figure 4 that the crease 3 of each of the paper forms 2 is shown just below the carbon `ribbon assembly. Now assume that the paper 2 is caused to move upwardly over a considerable distance in order to pass from the typing position, at the bottom of one form to the typing position at the top of the next form.

Under these conditions the creases 3 would, if the carbon ribbons remained stationary be dragged over the ribbons and since these creases represent indentations in the paper with corresponding projections, the latter tend to deform the carbon ribbon and to lock itself to the ribbon. Thus as the paper is pulled upwardly the creases 3 (Figure 4) would also pull upwardly the carbon ribbons l and inasmuch as these ribbons are made of paper and are held rigidly at their ends in a manner which will be described hereinafter, the carbon paper would tend to break.

In accordance with propose that during the eject operation or the paper forms 2 the carbon ribbons be also caused to move upwardly through a predetermined distance which however is less over which the paper forms are moved, but a sufcient distance to position the carbon ribbon Within a region of the paper forms 2 wherein there exists considerable spacing between the paper forms. Thus in Figure 5 the ribbons c have been moved upwardly at least one-half inch into a region where considerable spacing exists between the individual forms 2, this spacing being indicated by the reference character 5. Inasmuch as the packing or close Contact effect between the carbon ribbon and the paper forms has been materially reduced by the upward movement of the carbon paper, the paper web 4 can be ejected through any distance and at any speed without causing the carbon paper to adhere to 'the paper web at the' position of the creases which separate the forms from one another. 'ThereA is therefore positively no tendency for any breakage of the carbon ribbons since the latter are carried upwardly and quite intentionally through only a relatively short distance, much less than the distance through which the paper forms move during the eject operation.

The main machine construction The main machine with which the present invention is employed forms no part of the inventhe present invention I than the distance gaged, the motor 22 will cause the Von the upper surface of tion and may be an adding machine; a tabulating or listing machine or any other suitable machine capable of printing a record. AFor purposes ofillustration a tabulatingand listing machine has been disclosed in the drawings.

The rotary platen l (Figures 2 and 8) of the main machine is plates (Figures l, 2 and 8) these side plates being provided with an upright skeleton frame 1 which is spanned by a shaft 8. A number of rollers 9 may be provided on of these rollers being to support and guide the upper ends of the paper forms during the typing or eject operations. These forms pass over a pair of the rollers the forms) and drop downwardly into a basket or chute i8 where they automatically foldl themselves into the originallyprovided creases. These orms are fed into the main printing machine indicated at obviously properly guided during their traved between the platen I and the rollers 9. The upward movement of the paper is obtained by providing the latter with openings l2 (Figure 2) into which may be inserted pegs I3 carriedbya pair of spaced chains ifi each of which passes around a pair of sprockets l5. The lower two sprockets are carried on a shaft I6 while the upper two sprockets are mounted on the shaft 8. The shaft i8 is connected through a gear train generally indicated at l1 (Figure 2) to 1a platen gear I8 which in en through a combined clutch and (Figure l) and shaft 2l by a motor 22.

It will be understood that this "motor also 4'proy for operating the main typing or vides the power printing machine il. When the clutch 2G' is enpaper forms 2 to pass under the platen l as seen in Figure 2 and to move upwardly during the eject or line spacing periods, the paper finally reaching the basket lil in a completed typed form and-arranged as a stack. The duplicate forms are of course arranged with the original forms in the basket.

Carbon ribbon mechanism In the earlier machines when duplication of typing was required it was customary to feed whole sheets of carbon paper between the paper forms as in the case of the usual typewriter arrangement. However, in the present machine whole carbon sheets are eliminated and instead carbon ribbons preferably of paper areemployed at the typing position, these ribbons extending laterally across the paper and being moved with respect to the paper in the lateral direction in a manner which will be described during the line spacing operation. In case four sheets of paper forms are being simultaneously typed three strips of carbon ribbon will be interleaved between these sheets of paper, one` on can be seen in Figure are in addition to a ribbon provided on the outside of the paper which directly receives the imprint of the typing element of the machine.

The ribbon supply may be constituted of a plurality of rolls 23 mounted on a shaft 24 and contained within a casing 25 (Figure V9).

the side plates d (Figure 1). ably journalled in the casing extends beyond 2l which may be collar 28. There is a brake shoe the drum 21,.

held on the shaft'by'a pinned 29 bearing down rotatably mounted in the side the shaft, the purpose 9 (depending on the width of\ il in any suitable position and are turn meshes with a gear I9 driv-v gear box 20L;

top `ci' the other as 4 andthese carbon 'ribbons 'Ihey latter is secured as by angle irons 2G to one of' The `'shaft 24 is suit'" 25 (Figure 9)*:and1 the casing toterjr'ninate in a drum the shoe A being pivoted at30 throughv an arm 3|. A spring 32. iscaused to bear against the arm 3i, the upper end of this spring being secured to an angle iron projection 33 which may be secured to the casing 2'5. The tension of the spring may be adjusted by a thumb screw 34 in any suitable manner. ThusY by turning the thumb screw, pressure may be applied to the drum 27 by the brake shoe to make more diicultV the turning of spools 23. Access to the casing 25 to insert or remove a spool may be had through a large opening which is closed by a semi-cylindrical cover 35 (Figure 8). It will be understood that the spools 23 are separated' from one another on the shaft in any suitable manner and are securedthereto, for example, by means of a nut 36.

The casing 25 is provided with a plurality of openings at the bottom through which the carbon ribbon is fed and is taken around a plurality ofi idler pulleys 3l flanged at each end and supported onindividual arms 38 which are pivoted on a rod 39. This rod may be secured in any suitable manner to one of the side walls 6 and is positioned directly below the spool casing 25. Each of the arms 38 is given an upward urge by a torsional spring 4D, the strength of which is such that when a normal pull is exercised on the ribbons 4 the arms extend outwardly from the side wall in a horizontal direction as shown.

After leaving the idler pulleys the ribbon extends preferably in a vertical direction downwardly and passes over a so-called turn plate 4i which will be described presently, the purpose of this plate being to` receive the ribbons in a vertical plane and separated from one another and thc-n to turn the ribbons through 90 in such a way that the ribbons would normally lie on top of one another as viewed in the horizontal dlrection. However, these ribbons are initially threaded between the layers of paper so as to have an interleaved relation and they extend throughout the entire width of the multiple layer paper assembly. After leaving the sheets, the paper ribbons maintain their alined positions and are caused to pass upwardly over a turn plate 42 which is somewhat similar to the turn plate 4I and which will also be described in detail, the purpose of this plate being to change the direction of the ribbon assembly from horizontal to vertical while maintaining their alined positions. After leaving the turn plate 42, the ribbon passes over a pin wheel indicated at 43, which is mounted on a shaft 44. The latter is journalled in a housing 45 (Figure 1) which may form part of the clutch and gear box 20 and to which mechanical power is supplied through suitable gearing from said box. pin wheel 43 is rotated tension is applied simultaneously to all of the carbon ribbons to cause the ribbon assembly to move in a direction transverse. of the paper sheets 2 and the ribbon is automatically fed from. the spools 23.

The clutch for controlling the operation of the pin wheel shaft 44 is caused to be engaged in any suitable and well known manner during each line spacing operation of the machine, i. e. when the typing of that particular line has been terminated and the typing carriage is being moved from the right tothe left hand side of the paper sheets as is Awell understood in the art. There is no di'iculty in moving the carbon ri-bbon through the paper` sheets as explained hereinbefore' and. this movement serves not only to bringv` fresh areas of the carbon paper to bear against the` paper at the typing positions but also Thus when the.

to break any frictional contact or adherence between the carbon paper and the paper forms.

However, considerable difficulty has been encountered when the paper forms were moved upwardly during the eject operation as when the adherence between the moving paper and they stationary carbon ribbons is caused solely by the passage of the creases or folds which separate'v the forms from one another.

Ribbon elevating mechanism lt was pointed out hereinbefore that the ribbons during their travel just prior to passing around the platen l are separately guided over a turn plate All and after leaving the platen are guided as a group by a turn plate 42 to the position of the pin wheel 43. These respective turn plates are shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7. The turn plate 4i of steel or other suitable metal,

the lower edge of which extends to a position just' below the typing position on the platen end is provided with a series of serrated edges 45 some of which are angularly directed and others are longitudinally directed. The extreme right and left hand edges of the plate 4| are provided with outwardly extending flanges 41 and a pair of these anges 48 extends edge for a limited distance in order to assist in guiding the carbon paper ribbon around the diagonal edges 4E. Thus there is formed in effect, particularly at the bottom of the plate 4I a number of grooves, three as shown, to accommodate the various ribbons so that each of the ribbons are caused to turn the corner at the diagonal edges 4E and the result is that the ribbons are forced to lie on top of one another as a group and in complete alinement. Actually, these ribbons are interleaved with adjacent sheets of the paper so that they pass transversely across the paper and maintain their alined position even though separated by paper sheets.

The turn plate 42 is constructed similar to the turn plate 4I except only one groove formed by the outer flanges 49 is provided because as the ribbon is caused to pass around the diagonal edge 5i?, the ribbons maintain their grouped relation; on top of one another and in this manner are presented to the pin wheel 43 (Figure 1). Each of the turn plates 4l 42 is carried by an angularly positioned side plate 5i which bears against the inner surface of the side frame member 6. There is a plate 52 riveted at 53 to each side plate 5l (Figure 8) and the vertical free edge of the plate 52 is provided with a rack 53'. A pinion 54 is adapted to mesh with the teeth of the rack, this pinion being carried on a shaft 55 which extends across the manifolding attachment as can be seen in Figure 3. The shaft 55 is pinned to the shaft and is in line with a similar l pulley 5l loosely mounted on a shaft i6. Thel pulley 5l is held against axial movement along on to the paper forms throughout4 upwardly from the lower Abolts 6| which pass hand end of the collar @3, as seen in and 42 are provided with through vertical elongated lslots in the side plates Ei in order to permit each of the turn plates to be raised and lowered by the clutch 6,0 as will also beA explained. A belt 62 preferably made of wire spring material passes over and connects the pulleys bfi and i. The4 shaft I6 carries a grooved collar 63 which is adapted to slide longitudinally over the shaft and is provided with an axially extending key (not shown) which engages a keyway till so that the collar 63 is caused to rotate with the shaft it. There is a lever 65 pivoted at d5 which terminates in a pin 61, this pin being adapted to ride in the groove of the collar (i3 (Figure 3). The right Figure S terminates in teeth G8 which are adapted to engage the teeth 60 of the clutch pulley di when the collar 63 is moved to the right.

The turn plates di The shaft l1 derives rotative power throughthe clutch and gear box 2B from the motor Q2 and therefore turns during line-spacing and ejecting operation of the machine. As the result, the collar 63 is caused to rotate. ,Now assume that the lever or arm iid is rotated about its pivot counterclockwise so that the teeth of the collar engage the teeth 69 of the clutch. The rotative eifort of the shaft it will be communicated to the shaft 55. Now assume that the lever or arm 65 is connected to any element of the main typing machine which would actuate the lever during the. eject operation, i. e. during the period that successive paper forms are passed from the typing position at the bottom of one form to the typing position at the top of the next form. Many standard types of tabulating and listing machines or typewriting machines, particularly those sold by IBM would provide such an actuating element. Further assume that the lever 65 is swung to the right as seen in Figure 3 which. causes the shaft 55 to rotate as explained above. The gears 54 in each side of the machine, in meshing with the racks 53' would cause the turn plates ll and 42 to move upwardly and carry with them the series of ribbons. The effect thus obtained would be equivalent that shown in Figure 5 in which the ribbons 4 were m oved upwardly from the point of tangency with the platen l as to move the ribbons to a position Where the paper webs are spaced a considerable distance apart. rlhis upward movement of the ribbons preferably takes place during the start of the eject operation and the arrangement is such that the ribbons and the paper move upwardly at the same rate during the initial periods of the eject operation after which the paper webs continue their upward movement to a distance necessary to substitute one group of forms for another ayt the typing position.

It is apparent that inasmuch as the ribbons are now positioned at a place where the paper webs lie very loosely against one another (see Figure 5) the continued movement of the paper webs as when the creases or folds 3 pass the ribbons would no longer cause these creases to dig into or otherwise adhere to the ribbons in passing. Thus the ribbons maintain their elevated position during the entire eject operation and there is no tendency for these ribbons to break while the creases of the paper webs are passing thereover. The upward movement of the turn plates 4|, 42 is limited by the vertical grooves in the side plates 6 (Figure 8) so that notwithstanding a continued rotation of the shaft l5 and perhaps a continuedV meshing of theteeth 6G, @t of y above the spring v nisms is stopped the clutch, the turn plates can move upwardly only a predetermined limited distance. The belt 62 (Figure 3) is of a character as to permit the necessary slippage when desired.

When the eject operation is terminated the clutch is disengaged by returning the arm E5 to its original position so that the shaft 55 stops rotating. The tension springs E9 are provided to move the turn plates downwardly which can readily be accomplished because the pulley 5i is now loose on the shaft l. rI'hus the horizontal portion of the ribbon group is caused to move upwardly at each end through a predetermined distance during the initial period of the eject operation and the ribbon group is held in that position throughout the remainder of the eject operation after which the turn plates lll, i2 are caused to descend and thus to position the group of ribbons in place for the next typing or printing operation.

While the elevation of the ribbons under the circumstances prevents breakage of the carbon paper, there is provided as an additional precaution a mechanism which would stop the machine on the breakage of one or more of the carbon ribbons. This mechanism is-shown in Figures 8 and 1Q. Directly above the swingable arm 38 there is a lever 'Hl pivoted to one of the side plates d. This lever extends approximately horizontally and the outer end is provided with a screw il which can be so adjusted that should the arm se be caused to swing upwardly as the result of one or more of the ribbons breaking, the lever "iii is also swung upwardly about its pivot.

The inner end of the lever it is provided with a contact member 'i2 which is positioned directly pressed rod portion i3 of an electrical switch i4 of any suitable and well known type. The arrangement is such that when the arm ld swings upwardly the circuit within switch 'it is opened and this circuit is connected in series with the armature of the motor 5:2 so that the motor becomes de-energized, Thus the entire machine including all the feeding mechaand will remain in this condition until the carbon ribbon has been rethreaded over the pulleys 3i and through the paper webs 2 to the pin wheel @3, The arm 'f is held at such a horizontal position by means of a pin i5 as not to interfere with the momentary oscillations of the arm 38 which serves to take up the slack in the ribbons during normal operation of the machine. As explained hereinbefore the ribbons are also maintained in a taut condition by the braking effect exercised on the ribbon spools as was explained in connection with Figure 8.

Modification of Figures 11 and 12 1n general, this modification of the invention provides for a movement upwardly of only one end of the combined carbon paper assembly during the eject operation and thus distinguishes from the earlier described machine in which both ends of the carbon paper ribbon assembly are moved vertically through the same distance. n Figures 11 and 12 the left hand turn plate iii is discarded and the carbon paper ribbon or ribbons are applied directly to the pin wheel as can be seen in Figure 12. The right hand turn plate 4| has been diagrammatically illustrated as a single grooved element having a diagonally extending edge 16 although it will be understood that as many grooves and as many edges may be provided as there are ribbons to be accomcollar is provided with teeth B which are adapted to mesh with the clutch teeth 'i9 when the lever 82 is swung to the right as will be explained hereinafter. There is a shaft 85 positioned adjacent to the shaft I6 and parallel therewith, this shaft carrying at one end a grooved pulley 85 and at the other end a toothed roller 8l. The latter is adapted to engage the teeth of a circular rack 88 which is vertically disposed and forms part of a rod 89 which carries at its lower end the pin wheel a gear 9E) through which the rod t@ having a concave surface this worm being driven by a shaft 92. A key 53 is secured to the rod 89 and passes through the gear 9i) in order not only to rotatably lock the rod 89 and the gear together but to permit the rod to slide through the shaft. There is a compression spring 94 positioned between the underside of the gear 9D and the upperside of the pin wheel 53. The position of this spring will be apparent as the operation is described.

Assuming that the shaft i6 is given a continuous rotation causing the collar 39 to rotate due to the key 8l and further assuming that the lever 82 has been swung to the right (as seen in Figcausing the gear 81 If the latter rotates eounterclockwise as viewed from the left of the figure the circular rack 88 is caused to move upwardly and to carry with it the pin wheel tionary horizontal position in any suitable and well known manner. The pin wheel 43 however, is given a rotary effort through the shaft 92 and the worm gear 9| and continues to rotate while result of the rotation of case of the other form of the apparatus described hereinbefore, the belt 95 is adapted to slip on the pulleys Tl and 86 when the rod 89 has reached its uppermost position assuming that the clutch teeth 1S, 84 are still engaged. The lever 82 may be connected to any element forming part of the main printing or typing machine which would give the lever a right hand movement at the start of the eject operation.

Thus, the left hand end of the carbon ribbon assembly is elevated as shown in Figure 12 through a predetermined distance leaving the right hand end stationary about the turn plate lll and the result of this action is to move the ribbon assembly, at least for the most part into a position at which there is considerable spacing 5 between the paper webs. It is apparent that inasmuch as one end of the ribbon assembly remains stationary the other end which passes around the pin wheel must move through a greater vertical through equal distances.

At the end of the eject operation the shaft I becomes stationary and regardless of whether or not the clutch teeth 1S, 8f3 have been disengaged at this time, the compression spring Ql will force the pin Wheel downwardly to its initial position. due to the fact that the now compressed spring Sli overcomes the frictional resistance of the belt on the pulleys 'Il and tt. The pulley partially slips on and partially rotates the belt which latter slips on the pulley 'll as heretofore exll would obviously be rotated during this reverse operation and the necessary slippage can be accommodated at the collar 86. It is obvious that inasmuch as the ribbons are caused to take generaliy speaking a diagonal path in moving upwardly or downwardly a chopping or wedgmg aotion is obtained which facilitates the movement of the ribbon assembly with respect to the interleaved paper Webs.

It is evident that as in the case of the earlier figures, when the carbon ribbons are moved upwardly to a position where there is considerable spacing between the paper webs, enough clearance or looseness of contact is provided between the carbon ribbon and the creases or folds 3 which would avoid having the carbon ribbon adhere to the paper webs at these creases during the eject operation.

While I have described the feature of moving only one end of the carbon ribbon assembly upwardly, leaving the other end stationary, if desired the turn plate il may also be made to move upwardly through a gear and rack mechanism 5ft, 53 as was described in connection with Figure 3 in order that both ends of the ribbon may be moved upwardly throughout the same distance. Likewise, the pin wheel 43 and its associated mechanism shown in Figures 11 and l2 could be substituted for the movable turn plate @i2 and its mechanism shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7 in order to elevate the left hand end of the carbon ribbon assembly.

The modied structure shown in Figures 13 to 16 inclusive During the course or my research, I have discovered that it might be entirely feasible to eliminate the power mechanism for elevating either one or both ends of the ribbon assembly and to rely for this movement solely on the driving action of the paper webs as they are being moved during the eject operation. Now this can be brought about by accurately counterbalancing the turn plates M, 42 so that it would take little or no eort to elevate these plates at the same time that the paper webs were moving upwardly during the eject operation. Referring to Figure 14, the turn plate ll is provided with a rectangular extension Sii in which a vertically extending slotted element 91 is provided. The slot of this element receives a pair of rigidly positioned pins 98 one of which as seen in Figure14 is located at the upper end of the slot and the other is positioned about the middle of the slot. The pur- The element which extends to positioned rod `-carries a collar along the bar.

pose of these pins is to permit the turn plate 4| toy vmove vertically upwardly and considerable play is left between the pins and their slot.

91 is provided with a rectangular projection 99 into which is pivoted a bar |00 the rear of the machine. The bar is pivoted intermediate its length on a rigidly IBI and the outer end of the bar |02 which is adjustably slidable This collar is so adjusted that the weight of the turn plate and the element 91 are exactly counterbalanced about the fulcrum 'or rod ||J|. Thus it takes little or no effort to 42. Figure 14 shows the raise the turn plate 4| about the pivot point or rod lill. The same structure as was described in connection with the turn plate 4| may also be employed in connection with the turn plate turn plates 4|, 42 in the typing position and carrying a plurality of carbon ribbons along the typing or printing positionas was explained in connection with Figures 6 and 7. However, during the eject operation the paper webs 2 are caused to move upwardly in a well known manner carrying with them the creases or folds. When these creases engage the lower edge of the ribbons with which they are interleaved, the ribbons are caused to move upwardly carrying with them the turn plates 4| and 42, assuming that the latter had been very accurately counterbalanced as explained hererthe same rate as the creases therefore moved at to a position at -inbefora The ribbons are Ywhich there is considerable space between the -Y paper webs and are brought to a stop at thatI position by any suitable and well known mech- 'anism.

and the paper has folds are vpermitted without causing any breakage thereof.

Since the friction between the carbon ribbon been eliminated at this upper of the ribbons, the creases or readily to pass the ribbon At the or second position `'end of the eject movement, the paper webs bewhich they provided in the interfere with the ing arrangement M33 come stationary so that there is no longer any upward urge exerted on the ribbon and the latter is permitted to move downwardly into its initial typing position. This can be conveniently accomplished by so arranging the balance of the turn plates about the' fulcrums |Ii| that these plates normally tend to seek their lower positions do immediately upon stoppage of the upward movement of the paper webs.

' YWhile a braking device 29 (Figure 8) and a tensioning device 33 may be employed to keep the ribbon taut,`this drag effect may be such as to balance adjustment of the turn plates about the iulcrum mi. Consequently in this case we prefer to employ a spring clampshown more clearly in Fig- This structure may comprise a boxlike extends over the entire width and contains a series of U- it, the flat ace oi which bears against the individual ribbons. Openings are top and bottom sides of the box the ribbon through ure 13.

to permit ready movement of the box to be subjected to the clamping effect of the springs.

The latter may be adjusted from the exterior of the casing by screws m6 in order -to provide the necessary tension or drag on the ribbon as the pin wheel 43 is rotated. It is apparent that this drag producing device might advantageously be used in place of the brake 29 and the swing arm 38 in the structure shown and described in connection with Figure 8. Howi ever, as was pointed out hereinbeiore the swing arm method of introducing a drag offersv the additional advantage of. opening or closing a circuit when one or more of the ribbons break as was explained in connection with Figure 10.

From the foregoing it is evident that I have shown various ways and apparatus for .moving a carbon ribbon assembly away from the typing position to a position at which there is little or no contact between the ribbon and the paper webs in order to permit the creases in the webs to pass the ribbon without causing fracture. Another outstanding feature of this invention is in providing a direct path for the carbon ribbon from the spool compartment 45 to the pin wheel d3 by means of the turn plates 4|, 42. It is apparent that the more direct this path is over which the ribbon travels and the shorter the distance between the ribbon supports the less likelihood is there of causing the ribbon to break.

it will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications platen,

Having thus fully descr1bed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over the platen, a 4plurality of carbon ribbons interleaved with said paper sheets at the typing position, means ior moving the ribbons in superposed relation crosswise oi the sheets during the line spacing and eject operations ofthe machine, and means responsive to at ieast one of said operations for moving the ribbons lengthwise of said sheets and thereafter automatically returning them to said typing position.

2. A mani-fold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over the a plurality of carbon ribbons intersheets at the typing position, means for feeding the ribbons in superposed relation and for giving the carbon ribbons a direction parallel to the opposite edges of the paper sheets, said. means also serving to give the ribbons a direction crosswise of the sheets at the interleaving position so that the ribbon changes its direction from the vertical to the horizontal at the corresponding edges of the sheets and from the horizontal to the vertical at the opposite edges of the sheets, means for moving the ribbons during the line spacing and eject operations of the machine, and means responsive to at least one of said operations for moving the crosswise portions of the ribbons in a direction lengthwise of the paper sheets and thereafter automatically returning said portions to typing position. I

3. In a manifold typing machine having a platen and typing apparatus, rst means operable to move a plurality oi superposed sheets over said platen in one direction for line spacing and ejecting movements, second means adapted to guide a plurality oi ribbons interleaved with said leaved with said paper sheets transversely thereacross at the typing position and in superposed relation and also `to shift said ribbons in said one direction, and y means responsive to at least one of said movements to actuate said second means to translate said superposed ribbon sections in said direction and thereafter automatically return said sections to typing position.

4. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means'f'or oper-ation of leaved with 1'5 moving paper in multiple sheet form over the platen, a plurality of carbon ribbons interleaved with said paper sheets at the typing position, means for supporting the ribbons at one edge of said sheets, said means serving to give the ribbons a direction crosswise of the sheets, means including a pin wheel for movin-g the ribbons the ribbons are shifted away from the typing position.

5. A manifold typing machine having a platen and typing mechanism, rst means for moving a plurality of superposed sheets longitudinally across said pl-aten in line spacing and sheet ejecting movements, second means guiding a plurality of ribbon sections transversely of said sheets and interleaved therewith at the typing line, said second means being movable in the direction of the sheets, means responsive to said iirst means for synchronously moving said second means for a limited distance only, whereby said sheets and sections are moved versely into the typingr line.

6. A manifold typing machine comprising a typing apparatus including a platen, a plurality of paper webs provided with reversely occurring platen to substitute one multiple group of forms for another group, means for moving the interleaved strips transversely away from the platen during the web feeding oper-ation and into a position where the strips and the creases only operation to return said strips in unison to the typing line.

7. A manifold typing machine comprising a typing apparatus including a platen, a plurality of paper webs provided with reversely occurring folds which divide the webs into manifolded forms, a plurality of carbon coated strips interleaved `with the paper webs at the typing position, means for moving the webs with respect to the platen to substitute one multiple group of forms for another group, and means for moving the interleaved strips transversely away from the platen during the web feeding operation and into a position where the strips and the creases only loosely contact with the paper webs, said last mentioned means including mechanism for pulling the carbon coated strips crosswise of the paper webs, said mechanism being adapted to be moved in a. direction longitudinal of the paper webs whereby the interleaved strips are caused to pass in a diagonal direction crosswise of the 1 paper during the web feeding operation.

8. A manifold typing machine comprising a typing apparatus including a platen, means for feeding paper in multiple sheet form over said platen, a plurality of carbon paper strips interthe paper sheets at the typing position, :means located .at the edges vof the vpaper L16 sheets'forpresenting the strips to the sheets ina vertical direction and for receiving the strips from the paper sheets in a vertical direction, said means including turn plates, means responsive to operation of said feeding means for moving said turn plates to shift said interleaved strip sections for a limited distance with said paper during at least one of the line spacing and eject operations or" the machine and moving said plates to return said strip sections to the typing line upon discontinuance of said operation.

9. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means for feeding paper in multiple sheet form over said platen, a plurality of carbon paper strips interleaved with the paper sheets'at the typing position, means located at the edges of the paper sheets for presenting the strips to the sheets in a vertical direction and for receiving the strips from the paper sheets in a vertlcal direction, said `balanced in such a manner that as the paper tends to move with respect to the carbon coated strips and the turn plates upwardly in order to move the point of support of the carbon strips at each edge of the paper sheets during the line spacing and eject operations of the machine.

i0. A manifold typing machine Vcomprising typing apparatus including a platen, first means operabie to feed over and across said platen, a plurality of paper webs provided with reversely occurring folds which divide the webs into manifolded forms, second means Vsupporting and guiding a plurality of carbon coated strips interleaved with the paper webs adjacent and past the typing position, including a multi-grooved turn plate for changing the direction of the individual strips from lengthwise to a direction transversely across the paper webs in superposed relation, said turn'plate being positioned adjacent one of the edges of the paper webs, said second means also including a turn plate positioned at thn opposite edge of the paper webs for receiving the strips in stacked form and changing their direction while in stacked form to a direction longitudinal of the paper webs, and means for moving at least one of said turn plates away :from the platen during at leastone of the line spacing and eject operations of the machine in order to move the strips to a position where the paper webs are loosely spaced from one another and thereby to permit the webs freely to pass the strips during said line spacing and eject operations.4

1l. In a manifold typing machine having-a mechanism, iirst means opplurality of superposed sheets to be typed past a typing' position on said platen in line spacing and ejecting movements, second means for guiding a plurality of superposed carbon coated strips interleaved with said sheets, over said typing position transversely of said sheets, said second means including a turn plate said strips from side by side relation through an angle, into superposed transversely across said sheets for limited movement substantially in the direction of movement of said sheets, and means responsive to operation of said first means .to

` tions of the move said plates interleaved strip sections simul-l taneously with corresponding movement of said sheets, and means operable automatically to return said strip sections to typing position when the movement of the sheets ceases.

12. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over the.platen, a plurality of carbon ribbons interleaved with said paper sheets at the typing position, a multigrooved turn plate positioned-at one edge of said sheet form for receiving carbon ribbon in edge to edge relation and for presenting the ribbon in stack form to the paper sheets, means including a pin wheel over which the stack of ribbons passes for pulling the ribbons through theV interleaved paper sheets during the line spacing and eject operations of the machine, and means for moving at least one of the pin wheel mechanisms and the turn plate during at least one of said operations of the machine in order to move the ribbon stack longitudinally of the paper sheets to a position where considerable space exists between the sheets and thus to permit the paper sheets to be moved crosswise of the ribbons during one of said machine operations without'causing fracture of the ribbons.

13. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, rst means for moving paper in superposed sheet form over said platen, second means engaging and guiding a plurality of carbon ribbons transversely across and in interleaved relation with said sheets at the typing position, swiveled idler pulleys over which the respective carbon ribbons pass prior and subsequent to passage between said sheets,

' means urging movement of said pulleys in ribbontensioning direction, means responsive to operation of said first means to move said second means and ribbon sections guided thereby with said sheets for a limited distance only away from typing position, and means effective on cessation of movement of said sheets to restore said secribbon sections to original position.

14. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus and a platen, means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over said platen, means at each end of said platen for supporting and guiding a plurality of carbon ribbons in interleaved relation with the sheets of said form for movement thereacross at the typing position, means moving said supporting and guiding means during the ejecting operation of the machine to thereby move the interleaved sections of said ribbons away from said platen, said last-named means including a rack connected with said supporting and guiding means and a pinion in mesh with said rack, and means responsive to at least one of the line spacing and eject operations of the machine connected to rotate said pinion.

15. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over the platen, a plurality of carbon ribbons interleaved with said paper sheets at the typing position, means for moving the ribbons cross-wise of the sheets during the line spacing and elect operamachine, said last mentioned means including a pin wheel, means for presenting the carbon ribbons from a source of supply to one edge of the paper sheet form remote from said pin wheel, and means for moving at least one of said presenting means and said pin wheel lengthwise of the paper sheets during at least one of the line spacing and eject operations of the machine, said last mentioned means comprising a gear and rack mechanism which is under the automatic control of at least one of the line spacing and eject operations of the machine. f

16. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over the platen, a plurality of carbon ribbons interleaved with said paper sheets at the typing position, means for moving the ribbons crosswise of the sheets during the line spacing and eject operations of the machine, said last mentioned means including a pin wheel, means for presenting the carbon ribbons from a source of supply to one edge of the paper sheet form remote from said pin wheel, and means for moving at least one of said presenting means and said pin wheel lengthwise of the paper sheets during at least one of the line spacing and eject operations of the machine.

17. A manifold typing machine comprising typing apparatus including a platen, rst means for moving paper in multiple sheet form over said platen, second means for moving a plurality of carbon ribbons interleaved with and across said paper sheets -at the typing position, including a pin wheel, said second means being normally urged into position to locate said ribbons in typing position and being movable away from said platen, and means responsive to operation of said rst means, for moving Said second means together with the interleaved sections of the ribbons simultaneously with said sheets for a limited distance and for returning said sections to ,typing position immediately upon cessation of the operation of said first means.

18. In a manifold typing machine having a platen and typing apparatus, power operated means controllable to feed a plurality of superposed sheets across said platen in a direction longitudinally of said sheets for line space and ejecting movements, guide means mounted adjacent opposite side edges of said sheets to guide a plurality of carbon ribbons transversely across and interleaved with said sheets at the typing position, means mounting said guide means for limited movement in said direction whereby the interleaved sections of said ribbons are correspondingly moved away from typing position on ejecting movements, and means responsive to operation of said power operated means for so moving said guide means, and tensioning means for said ribbons.

ROBERT W. RITZERT.

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